Railway car cushioning underframe

ABSTRACT

A railway car cushioned underframe includes a stationary and a sliding sill providing a pocket in which a cushioning device is supported. The cushioning device is removable and replaceable with a cover plate connected to the stationary sill. The cushion device includes a cylinder and piston arrangement with a return spring normally urging the device to a neutral position, with the spring and associated elements supported by a tension strap assembly supported within the sliding sill.

United States Patent [191 Tamborski et al.

[ RAILWAY CAR CUSHIONING UNDERFRAME [75] Inventors: Robert S. Tamborski, Griffith, Ind.;

Joe B. Raidt, Calumet City, 111.

[73] Assignee: Pullman Incorporated, Chicago, 11].

[22] Filed: Oct. 16, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 298,113

[52] US. Cl. 213/8 [51] Int. Cl. B6lg 9/08 [58] Field of Search 213/8, 43

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,330,706 9/1943 Hankins et al 213/8 3,028,019 4/1962 Settles et al. 213/43 51 Feb. 12, 1974 11/1965 Peterson 213/43 10/1970 Hettlinger 213/8 Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hofiman Attorney, Agent, or Firm1-1ilmond O. Vogel 5 7 ABSTRACT A railway car cushioned underframe includes a stationary and a sliding sill providing a pocket in which a cushioning device is supported. The cushioning device is removable and replaceable with a cover plate connected to the stationary sill. The cushion device includes a cylinder and piston arrangement with a return spring normally urging the device to a neutral position, with the spring and associated elements supported by a tension strap assembly supported within the sliding sill.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENIEUFEBI 2 w 3,791,533 I SHFET 2 [1F 2 RAILWAY CAR CUSHIONING UNDERFRAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of railway car cushioned underframes.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art patents relating to cushioned underframes of the sliding sill type generally include a cylinder and piston rod assembly having a cylinder head and piston rod end plate which are supported within a pocket of a sliding sill. The cylinder head and end plate are supported within the pocket in engagement with suitable stops fixed on the stationary sill and on the sliding sill which during buff and draft impacts result in contraction of the cushioning unit from a neutral to a closed position, thus serving to absorb the impact forces which may be transmitted to the couplers at opposite ends of the sliding sill. The cushioning units of the prior art include generally spring assemblies which normally bias the device to a neutral position after impact. Thus, the cushioning unit is restored so that it then is able to absorb additional impacts. These cushioning devices of the prior art are generally supported in a pretensioned relation between the aforementioned stops and when it is desired to replace these units, a cover plate is generally removed from the lower portion of the stationary sill to permit the removal of the cushioning device. Because of the pretensioning of the device it is difficult to remove the same without adequate fixtures for compressing the unit sufficiently in length to permit the removal of the same from between the stops of the underframe. In some instances it has been necessary to remove the tension by using a torch to cut the springs, this causing destruction of the spring arrangement and also requiring considerable effort. Some of the prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,028,019 and 2,330,706 which include devices for maintaining the spring in a pretension position during installation. Such devices, however,'while adequate for assembly line installation are not available in the field wherein maintenance changes must be made due to breakdowns, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a prime object of the present invention to provide an improved cushioning arrangement for a sliding sill cushioned underframe. The arrangement is such that a cushioning device is supported on a carrier plate and is installed within the cushion pocket of a sliding silland stationary sill arrangement in unitary arrangement as the carrier and cover plate is bolted to the stationary sill. The cover and carrier plate comprises an anchoring member to which the cushion assembly is connected. The cushioning assembly includes a tension strap which is suitably connected to the cylinder head mendous spring forces to which the assembly is subjected, jet providing a design which will fit into the cushion pocket and which will also serve as guide means for the retainer in its travel from a neutral to a contracted position upon impacts to the sliding sill.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The railway car underframe is generally designated by the reference character 10 which includes vertical stationary sill members 11 having upper flanges l2 and lower flanges 13. A- cushion pocket 17 is provided in a sliding sill 18, said sill 18 extending within and projecting outwardly from opposite ends of the stationary sill and an end plate supported on one end of the anchormembers 11. The sliding sill 18 is generally supported by longitudinally spaced transversely extending support members (not 'shown')"supported along the length of the stationary sill members 11. The sliding sill 18 includes horizontally spaced vertical walls 19 connected by a top wall 20 to provide a hat-shaped construction including lower flanges 21. The flanges 21 may be supported on wear strips 22 which are provided on the aforementioned horizontal supports and also which are provided in the region 'of the cushion pocket 17 as will be described. As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, fixed stops 23 are rigidly connected to' the inner faces of the vertical walls 19 of the sliding sill 18. Vertical reinforcement gussets 24 are provided on the stationary sill members 11, as best shown in FIG. 1.

A cover and carrier plate 25 includes an anchoring member generally designated as 26. The anchoring member 26 comprises an inverted U-shaped member 27 having vertical walls 27 and a top wall 28. Reinforcing transverse walls 29, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, are connected to the'walls 27 to provide a rugged box-like construction. The walls 27 are suitably connected to the cover and carrier plate 25 and further are supported at their lower ends by means of a U-shaped plate 30, as best shown in FIG. 2, which in turn has connected thereto side angles 31 to provide a rigid torque box type of construction projecting downwardly below the cover plate 25. Suitable bolt and nut connectors 32 secure the cover plate 25 to the flanges 13 of the sill members 11, as best shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Spacer strips 33 are positioned between the flanges l3 and the cover plate 25.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the hydraulic cushion device 34 includes a hydraulic cylinder 35, having at one end a cylinder head 36. A piston rod 37 projects outwardly from one end of the cylinder 35 and includes a fluid passage 38. The cushion unit need not be further described in detail since it may be of a type shown in the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,415, July 13, 1965; U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,865, Sept. 15, 1964; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,150,866, Sept. 29, 1964. These cushioning units generally include low and high pressure chambers within which a piston is reciprocated, the same being connected to a piston rod 37 of a type shown in FIG. 4. The unit, as indicated in the patents, may include a rubber boot type of fluid reservoir and suitable metering means associated with the piston and passage arrangement provides for the metered flow of fluid between the chambers to provide for fluid cushioning action. The present cushioning unit also includes a retainer plate 42 which is rigidly connected to one end of the piston rod 37. A coil spring 43 is positioned between the cylinder head 36 and the retainer plate 42, the said coil spring providing means for biasing the device to a neutral or open position in which it is maintained prior to buff or draft impacts.

In the present arrangement the unit includes a tension strap assembly generally designated at 44. The tension strap assembly 44 includes a top flat strap 45 which projects, as shown in FIG. 2, outwardly with respect to the cylinder head 36 to which it is rigidly secured. Lugs 46, also rigidly connected to the projecting portion of the top'strap 45, are also rigidly connected to the cylinder head 36. Similar reinforcing lugs 47 are connected to an end plate 51, the said strap 25 also projecting outwardly from said end plate 51, as best shown in FIG. 2. The lugs 47 are also connected to the other projecting end of the strap 25, these also in turn being rigidly secured to the end plate 51. Converging lower edges 36' are provided on the cylinder head, as shown in FIG. 3. Lower converging edges 42 are provided on the retainer plate 42, as shown in FIG. 4, and similarly lower converging edges 51 are provided on the end plate 51, as best shown in FIG. 5. Lower horizontal and laterally spaced straps 48 are substantially coextensive with the upper strap 25 and project outwardly from opposite sides of the cylinder head 36 and end plate 51. These straps 48, as best shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are parallel and are rigidly connected to converging faces 36' and 51'. The connection of the straps 48 to the cylinder head 46 and end plate 41 may be by welding. Reinforcing connector straps 49 and 50, shaped as indicated in FIG. 3, are connected respectfully to the cylinder head 36, end plate 51 and to the straps 48 to further reinforce the construction. The retainer plate 42 slides relative to the top strap 45 and the converging edges 42' slide relative to the straps 48. Thus, the retainer plate 42 is guided by means of the straps 45 and 48 so that misalignment of the retainer plate during impacts does not occur.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the retainer plate 42 is urged into engagement with one end of the anchoring member 26 and also the spring tensioning provides for the end plate 51 being in spring-biased engagement with the other end of the anchoring member 26. Thus, the return spring also maintains the cushioning unit in unitary engagement with the anchoring member 26 and with the cover and carrier plate 25. In this manner the removal or replacement of the plate 25 also provides for removal or replacement of the cushion assembly as an integral part thereof.

OPERATION Movement of the sliding sill 18 to the right as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 provides for the lugs 23 moving the end plate 51 to the right, the retainer plate 42 being maintained in position by means of the anchoring member 26. The spring is compressed and the unit is compressed since the cylinder head 36 is moved with the tension strap assembly and end plate 51 to the right. After the impact the sliding sill is returned to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is the neutral posi- 7 tion. Movement of the sliding sill 18 to the left from the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 provides for the sliding lugs 23 moving the retainer plate 42 to the left. Since the tension strap assembly 44 and end plate 51 are in anchored engagement relative to the anchoring means 26, movement of the retainer plate 42 compresses the spring and the cushioning unit is again moved to a closed position whereupon cushioning takes place. Again, after the impact, the spring 43 returns the unit to its neutral position. As particularly disclosed in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the cushion pocket 17 is comparatively narrow and relatively confined. The spring must be of a sufiicient capacity and, therefore, maximum size possible is desired while the cylinder also must have a relatively large capacity. The tension strap assembly, therefore, has been designed to provide for a minimum of space requirement with a maximum capacity to handle the high stresses to which the straps 45 and 48 are subjected during operation of the cushioning device. By the present arrangement of the straps 48 and its relationship to the converging surfaces of the plates 51, 42 and the cylinder head 36, the space requirements are met and the straps can be made of a sufficient strength and sufficiently reinforced as indicated to absorb the high stress forces. Also, it is apparent that the retainer plate 42 is properly confined and supported by means of the straps 45 and 48 so that it is guided in its movement with the piston rod to open and closed positions, thereby minimizing the possibility of misalignment. Thus, it is apparent that the cushioning unit tension strap assembly anchoring means and the cover and carrier plate may be replaced as a unit, thus providing improvement in design and advantages which are not apparent from the references.

We claim:

1. For a railway car cushioned underframe having a stationary sill and a sill slidable on and relative to said stationary sill, said sliding sill including laterally spaced sill lugs, and anchoring means rigidly supported on said stationary sill between said sill lugs, the improvement of a fluid cushioning device comprising:

a cylinder having a cylinder head at one end thereof,

a piston and piston rod reciprocable within said cylinder,

a spring retainer plate connected to one end of said piston rod,

a spring on said cylinder disposed between said retainer plate and saidcylinder head,

a tension device including an end plate in the operating position of said cushioning device engaging one end of said anchoring means, and said retainer plate engaging the longitudinally spaced other end 7 of said anchoring means, said sliding sill lugs being disposed between and engageable with said retainer plate and end plate, and

an upper strap and a plurality of lower straps connected to said cylinder head and said end plate to secure the same against relative longitudinal movement,

said straps being connected to upper and lower edges of said cylinder head and end plate.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said straps having end portions projecting longitudinally outwardly with respect to said edges and reinforcing means connected to said cylinder head and end plate and said outward portions.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said cylinder head and end plate lower edges converging downwardly and said lower straps connecting said lower edges.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3, said retainer plate having converging lower edges, and said lower straps being disposed substantially parallel to said converging edges.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4, said retainer plate being confined by said straps and being slidable relative thereto.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5, including laterally extending bracing members connected to said straps at opposite ends thereof and said bracing members being respectively connected to said cylinder head and said end plate.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said stationary sill having a downwardly extending opening, a removable cover plate for said opening,

said anchoring means being rigidly secured to said cover plate, and said fluid cushioning means being supported on said cover plate by said anchoring means whereby said cover and cushioning means are removable and replaceable as a unit. 

1. For a railway car cushioned underframe having a stationary sill and a sill slidable on and relative to said stationary sill, said sliding sill including laterally spaced sill lugs, and anchoring means rigidly supported on said stationary sill between said sill lugs, the improvement of a fluid cushioning device comprising: a cylinder having a cylinder head at one end thereof, a piston and piston rod reciprocable within said cylinder, a spring retainer plate connected to one end of said piston rod, a spring on said cylinder disposed between said retainer plate and said cylinder head, a tension device including an end plate in the operating position of said cushioning device engaging one end of said anchoring means, and said retainer plate engaging the longitudinally spaced other end of said anchoring means, said sliding sill lugs being disposed between and engageable with said retainer plate and end plate, and an upper strap and a plurality of lower straps connected to said cylinder head and said end plate to secure the same against relative longitudinal movement, said straps being connected to upper and lower edges of said cylinder head and end plate.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said straps having end portions projecting longitudinally outwardly with respect to said edges and reinforcing means connected to said cylinder head and end plate and said outward portions.
 3. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said cylinder head and end plate lower edges converging downwardly and said lower straps connecting said lower edges.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 3, said retainer plate having converging lower edges, and said lower straps being disposed substantially parallel to said converging edges.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 4, said retainer plate being confined by said straps and being slidable relative thereto.
 6. The invention in accordance with claim 5, including laterally extending bracing members connected to said straps at opposite ends thereof and said bracing members being respectively connected to said cylinder head and said end plate.
 7. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said stationary sill having a downwardly extending opening, a removable cover plate for said opening, said anchoring means being rigidly secured to said cover plate, and said fluid cushioning means being supported on said cover plate by said anchoring means whereby said cover and cushioning means are removable and replaceable as a unit. 